Bulgaria and Ukraine sign a 10-year security agreement

Bulgaria will be a partner to Ukraine not only in the current difficult times but also in the country’s reconstruction. This was stated by Bulgaria’s caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov after a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. The two signed a 10-year security agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine, the government press service reported.

“We will continue to support Ukraine and move together along the path toward our shared future in the European Union and NATO,” Gyurov said at a joint press conference with Zelensky following their bilateral meeting. He noted that the current visit of the Bulgarian delegation he leads to Kyiv clearly demonstrates Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine and its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace - not only for Ukraine’s security but for that of all of Europe.

According to him, the agreement is an effort that strengthens Euro-Atlantic security across the region. Bulgaria’s national contribution to NATO’s PURL mechanism has also been approved, demonstrating solidarity in difficult times and enhancing the Alliance’s defense capabilities, the statement added. Prime Minister Gyurov also emphasized the importance of security in the Black Sea region, noting that Bulgaria highly values Ukraine’s ability to effectively neutralize attacks, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure freedom of navigation.

The ten-year cooperation provides for joint weapons production, including drones, Zelenskyy stressed. “Signing such an agreement does not require parliamentary ratification, as it is a political act - it demonstrates our country’s readiness to work together with our partners in Ukraine to strengthen the defense capabilities of both nations,” the Bulgarian caretaker prime minister explained.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also highlighted the importance of the signed agreement, according to the statement cited by BTA. “Our teams worked on it for a long time,” he noted, emphasizing Bulgaria’s continued support for his country.

Alongside defense cooperation, the Ukrainian president also brought forward collaboration between Sofia and Kyiv in the field of energy. Zelensky added that he hopes the Vertical Gas Corridor through Bulgaria will be completed by the end of the year, enabling Ukraine to receive 10 billion cubic meters of gas annually, reported BNR correspondent Marta Mladenova.

The country is still ready to acquire equipment for the Belene Nuclear Power Plant, but this is a matter for the Bulgarian parliament, Zelensky and Gyurov agreed.

Scientific research, innovation, technology transfer, and the defense industry are the areas in which Bulgaria and Ukraine can develop and deepen their cooperation, Andrey Gyurov pointed out. He also highlighted the importance of the Vertical Gas Corridor and the railway connection between Alexandroupolis and Odessa, which, in his words, are key projects ensuring not only energy security but also the security of NATO’s eastern flank.

Earlier today, Andrey Gyurov met with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk. Together with Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the Bulgarian prime minister paid tribute to the victims of the war and attended the signing of a protocol concerning the Bolhrad High School in the Odessa region by the Ministers of Education of Bulgaria and Ukraine, Sergey Ignatov and Oksen Lisovyi.

Edited by Elena Karkalanova